* Reason to believe: Steve Alford keeps bringing talented players to The Pit, and this year is no exception. But this year’s group will be hard-pressed to match the production of last year’s team. Drew Gordon, a transfer from UCLA, averaged a double-double (13.0 points, 10.5 rebounds) and was the Mountain West newcomer of the year. Kendall Williams averaged 11.6 points and 4.0 assists as Dairese Gary’s ideal backcourt mate and was named MVC freshman of the year. Bigger and better things are expected from both — Gordon will be with the squad the entire season (he wasn’t eligible until December last year), and Williams will take over Gary’s role as the primary ballhandler.

* Reason to worry: The front line, an expected strength, has taken a few hits the past couple months. Alex Kirk, the 6-11 sophomore who started 21 games last year, is out for an indefinite amount of time after undergoing back surgery in early August. He averaged 4.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, and both numbers were expected to rise this season. And Jarion Henry, a 6-9 recruit from Dallas, was supposed to make an immediate impact in the paint but wasn’t cleared academically by the NCAA and didn’t enroll in school this fall. Now, he won’t be attending New Mexico at any point; he’s enrolled in a prep basketball academy in San Diego.

* Impact newcomer: The Luc Longley legacy continues this season when Australian guard Hugh Greenwood joins the Lobos’ backcourt. Greenwood, a veteran of more than 50 international competitions with Australian teams, showed New Mexico fans what he’s capable of this summer in the Under-19 World Championships in Latvia. Greenwood averaged 17.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists — including a 26-point game vs. the U.S. — as he led the Aussies to a sixth-place finish.

* The big game: Outside of a possible game against Villanova in the 76 Classic final in late November, the biggest non-conference game on the schedule is a showdown vs. Oklahoma State on Dec. 17. It might not be a true road game, but playing the Cowboys in Oklahoma City certainly is a challenge, and winning that game will stick in the minds of NCAA Tournament Selection Committee members, whether the question is about inclusion or just seeding.